Ex-INS officer is new Immigration director

The Fitial administration has hired a former federal immigration and customs enforcement officer, Melvin Grey, as the CNMI’s new immigration director.

Fitial and Attorney General Matthew Gregory announced Grey’s hiring during a weekly press conference Friday at the Governor’s Office.

“We’re happy to tell you on the appointment of Mr. Melvin Grey as immigration director,” said Fitial.

He said Grey is one of the five names recommended for the post by former immigration director and Covenant Party chair Martin Manglona.

Manglona, who served temporarily as director, recently resigned, citing differences with some quarters in the administration.

Manglona, a retired military man, had also worked briefly as immigration director under the Babauta administration.

Fitial said Friday that Manglona remains a good friend.

Meantime, Grey’s hiring came amid revived fears of possible federal takeover of the CNMI labor and immigration in view of heightened scrutiny by U.S. Congress recently.

In an interview Friday, Grey said that the takeover issue has been a concern for a long time,

“When I came here in 1999, it was a very hot issue,” he said.

He said he has not been in discussion with people on the particular issue.

“We’ll see what issues are involved. I’ve been here only on the outside,” he said.

Upholding ethics

As immigration director, he said he will put a premium on preserving “integrity” within the office.

“We will comply strictly with standards and procedures,” he said.

He also wants to see a more “efficient and user-friendly system” to lighten workload in the immigration division.

For instance, he said that instead of issuing extension visa cards to visitors, which takes a considerable time to issue, the immigration office can just request applicants to personally appear for interview and have their passports stamped.

“There’s no need for cards. It would be much easier and simpler, less on cost,” he said.

He said he would also want to address the shortage of personnel in the division.

Grey, 57, who is from Nevada, worked as CNMI resident senior special agent, INS/Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit of the Department of Homeland Security since 2001.

He retired in 2004.

He first came to the CNMI in 1999 to investigate a Chinese smuggling case.